House in Michigan, Birmingham, Michigan

The client came to us with certain briefs that were not typical - a symmetrical composition, no painted surfaces inside or out, maximum privacy for occupants combined with vibrant communal spaces, parking for four cars, ample green space, and a consideration of the pedestrian in a walkable neighborhood. The organization around a central courtyard answered the clients request for symmetry in a way that transcended being just a compositional device, structuring the relation between public and private spaces and organizing circulation for cars and people in a compact, efficient space. The courtyard allowed the balance of the site to be green space, answering another client concern, and the breakdown of the house into independent parts organizes private and public spaces in a clear fashion. The courtyard presents a welcoming space to the street, and with its combined circulation allows a frank relationship with the car absent in most suburban houses. The palette of the house is limited, with each material expressed as its integral color - precast concrete and weathered steel on the exterior, and precast concrete, polished concrete, wood, plaster, and blackened stainless on the interior. The rigorous detailing and limited palette of the interior creates a comtemplative, almost monastic space, while at the same time framing unexpected views of its suburban neighborhood - a building that both fits within and stands apart from its context.

Photography: Michael Moran
Photography Styling: Carin Scheve

Project Team: Vrinda Khanna, Robert Schultz, Veronica Patrick, Navajeet Khatri
Landscape Design: Michael J. Dul and Associates
Lighting Design: PHT Lighting Design
Building Envelope Consulting: Building Science Corporation
Interior Design: Khanna Schultz
General Contractor: Mosher Dolan
Custom Fabrications: Vogue Furniture
Structural Engineering: Paul Hannenberg and Associates
Civil Engineering: Spalding DeDecker
MEP Engineering: Kaiser Consulting
Rooftop Sculpture: Fire Features
Weathered Steel Facade: DMD Dissimilar Metal Design
AV Consultant: Spire Integrated Systems Inc.